Frequenty Used Terminology

activated sludge:sludge particles produced by the growth of microorganisms in aerated tanks as a part of the activated sludge process to treat wastewater

aeration:exposing to circulating air; adds oxygen to the wastewater and allows other gases trapped in the wastewater to escape (the first step in secondary treatment via activated sludge process)

biosolids processing:sludge that is intended for beneficial use. Biosolids must meet certain governmentspecified criteria depending on its use (e.g., fertilizer or soil amendment).effluent: treated wastewater, flowing from a lagoon, tank, treatment process, or treatment plant

grit removal:a chamber or tank used in primary treatment where wastewater slows down and heavy, large solids (grit) settle out and are removed

influent: wastewater flowing into a treatment plant

lagoons (oxidation ponds or stabilization ponds):a wastewater treatment method that uses ponds to treat wastewater. Algae grow within the lagoons and utilize sunlight to produce oxygen, which is in turn used by microorganisms in the lagoon to break down organic material in the wastewater. Wastewater solids settle in the lagoon, resulting in effluent that is relatively well treated, although it does contain algae

primary treatment equipment:the first stage of wastewater treatment that removes settleable or floating solids only; generally removes 40% of the suspended solids and 30-40% of the BOD in the wastewater

secondary treatment equipment:a type of wastewater treatment used to convert dissolved and suspended pollutants into a form that can be removed, producing a relatively highly treated effluent. Secondary treatment normally utilizes biological treatment processes (activated sludge, trickling filters, etc.) followed by settling tanks and will remove approximately 85% of the BOD and TSS in wastewater. Secondary treatment for municipal wastewater is the minimum level of treatment required by the Clean Water Act.

sedimentation:the process used in both primary and secondary wastewater treatment, that takes place when gravity pulls particles to the bottom of a tank (also called settling).settling tank (sedimentation tank or clarifier): a vessel in which solids settle out of water by gravity during wastewater or drinking water treatment processes.

sludge:any solid, semisolid, or liquid waste that settles to the bottom of sedimentation tanks (in wastewater treatment plants or drinking water treatment plants) or septic tankstertiary treatment: any level of treatment beyond secondary treatment, which could include filtration, nutrient removal (removal of nitrogen and phosphorus) and removal of toxic chemicals or metals; also called “advanced treatment” when nutrient removal is included

total suspended solids (TSS):a laboratory measurement of the quantity of suspended solids present in wastewater that is one of the main indicators of the quantity of pollutants present

trickling filter process:a biological treatment process that uses coarse media (usually rock or plastic) contained in a tank that serves as a surface on which microbiological growth occurs. Wastewater trickles over the media and microorganisms remove the pollutants (BOD and TSS). Trickling filters are followed by settling tanks to remove microorganisms that wash off or pass through the trickling filter media.

turbidity:the cloudy or muddy appearance of a naturally clear liquid caused by the suspension of particulate matter

wastewater:water that has been used for domestic or industrial purposes